Job Discussion Forums

Lady Penelope

I'm thinking of looking for a short-term post in a University after my current contract (a chain school) expires. A DoS advised me that I'be be teaching a load of students who weren't interested in being there.

My background is that I'm nearly 50. Have an MSc (Computing) & BA (Business & Computing Studies). In addition I have 20 years business/IT experience -I retired 2 years ago.

Would like to hear from anyone who has good or bad view points/experiences.

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

Naturally the DOS at your current chain school will try to put you off working at a university, he/she wants you to re sign with them.

Yeah there will be a lot of students who will be in the class that are not interested and only come because they have to. In a chain school the students pay to practice English where as in a university the students are forced to go and practice English.

That said the good points to working at a university are low working hours, apartment on campus and visa taken cared of.

Negative points are big classes, a variety of English ability, no materials provided or poor materials provided and a lot of universities are located pretty far from the city centre.

Overall definitely if you are only after a short term post, say one term to one year then you should enjoy yourself.

Lady Penelope · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:13 am Post subject:

Thanks for reply. Re the comment on big classes - what sort of numbers are normal?

Have to say, I suspected the DoS didn't really know what he was talking about.

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

Lady Penelope, check out your proposed university. Some have classes of 70, I usually get classes of around 30. Some universities have built new campuses outside the city. Infrastructures for these are usually lacking. Some are still in the heart of things.

I have only taught university and love it. I'm doing my 4th contract with the same one. Remember, salaries are usually paid on time and in full. If classes are cancelled, you're still paid. With Spring Festival, I taught 4 hours in January and 6 in February. I collected full pay for both months! It was a week late but they paid both months in January.

I make much less than I would at a privates BUT when I divide total hours worked into total compensation, I make more per hour. I can work extra if I want.

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

My class sizes are 30 to 50. I thought one of my classes was going to be 43 students, but I think I successfully scared off about 10 of them! I told them my class would involve a lot of work.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I have never had classes bigger than at a middle school (ca. 50 heads). Often a class has fewer than that.

On the other hand, the proficiency of university students is often extremely disappointing considering the length of formal English study that has gone into it!
You must also bear in mind their interest in the subject: for many, it's just an easy and convenient way of collecting extra credits without making any extra efforts! There is an unbelievable amount of truancy going on!

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

Roger, maybe I've been gifted with above average students but after a semester with me, they can carry on a basic conversation in English. I'm not special, I just keep forcing them to converse in English - as I was taught to do.

Mind you, those who elect not to attend classes normally don't pass.

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

My classes average 50 second-year uni students. It's a constant hassle to keep them in line (talking, sleeping, reading the newspaper), but I have my methods. Depending on the offense, I may

1. Yell ("An Qing!", "Shut the f*** up!")
2. Throw chalk at the sleepers.
3. Blow a loud whistle I have.
4. Stare
5. Have the student sing "The East is Red." (latecomers)

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

Experiences vary, sometimes even at the same school, so take all comparisons with a grain or three of salt. Your mileage will definitely vary.
My students are in my classes because they intend to study abroad in 2 years. They are well motivated, and the classes are small enough (12 average last term) that I get to listen to each and every student just about every class. As Roger notes, the level of competence coming into your class is usually pretty disapointing, but with motivation you can make incredible progress. When I gave them their January exam, I watched in near disbelief as none of them tried to cheat. First time I've not seen that in China. OTOH the teacher across the hall had one class of 200+/-, and she caught almost as many students cheating as I had between 3 classes. Their motivation? It's an easy credit, and I don't really have to do the homework if I don't want to. (Actually she tried to fail a few just for that alone, but that's another story)

Lady Penelope · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:20 pm Post subject:

Just to say thank you for the replies - all very useful.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

JRD

I've been teaching English majors at a university here in Jiangsu for the past couple of years and the largest class I have had is 40 (smallest is 20). The average size of an English-major class in our university is low 30s. That said, some of the teachers here were teaching English to non-English majors and they have had classes of up to 70. We were fortunate enough to have enough pull with the English department so that those classes have been split up this semester.
By the by... three of us (foreign teachers) are leaving at the end of this semester and our school hasn't advertised our jobs yet so, if you are still looking for a job, let me know ... Wink

sojourner · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:02 am Post subject:

Penelope,

You might find that salary rates at universities might be below those offered by language schools. However, at universities you'll have the opportunity to teach subjects besides the usual Oral English. At the two tertiary institutions that I've worked at, some of the subjects I've taught were: Business English, Writing, Extensive Reading, Western Culture, and Inter-Cultural Communication.

Good luck.

Peter

sojourner · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:04 am Post subject:

JRD,

In case your PM notification facility is not working, I sent you a PM about 10 minutes ago.

Peter

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

I think that it is a difficult task to get your students conversing in English with intentions to do anything but pass the exam they need to help them on their way. Sounds a bit negative but I wouldn't expect too much from your infrequent lessons with the same class , lack of objectives , no set curriculum and no guidance to help you understand more about the job in hand .

The freedom is great in someways however and I have enjoyed the chance to experiment in class . I think a lot depends on your motives for being in China.If they are teaching then I'd stay clear of the Universities . University teaching here for me just does not have enough urgency about it to really maintain the energy required to fulfill my job passionately .